First and foremost, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the brethren who extended their cable tow in making our installation and investiture of officers for the Masonic Year 2013 a very successful one.
Masonry is a lifelong commitment, that has been a constant reminder since the start of our Masonic journey; older Masons keep reminding us to wait with patience and walk uprightly. Masonry is a brotherhood; there is more to it than meeting once a month during our stated meetings and then having dinner together. A brotherhood, by definition, is the quality of being brothers. Not brothers by blood but brothers of soul.
I do not know if you have met a fellow brother Mason by chance like I have when I was at the Battle of Alamo Monument in San Antonio, Texas. An American brother Mason approached me suddenly and we shook hands the way that is expected of Masons; because of the ring I wore, he knew that I was a Mason. Although we didn't know each other previously, there was an instant friendship. There is always that sense of camaraderie that can only come from shared experiences when you meet a fellow brother Mason. Just like the way soldiers bond with their comrades, the solidarity they have built between them is strong. Even if that brother Mason isn't of the same nationality, even if you don't speak the same language, there is that sense of instant closeness because you are both Masons.
Masonry has been shrouded in mystery and intrigue for many centuries, so much that some people look at it with thinly veiled curiosity and apprehension. But through tough times, Masons have held strong. In the course of our history, a number of our great heroes have been, and will always be, Masons - Jose Rizal, Juan Luna, Marcelo H. del Pilar, to name a few. These men banded together to fight against the Spaniards for Philippine Independence, they fought for what they believed in - they were brothers of soul.
Did you know that Winston Churchill was a Mason? How about Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart? Theodore Roosevelt? Mark Twain? These famous men were all Masons, they were proud to be called Masons. Churchill and Roosevelt united the people while Mozart and Twain inspired them. Brethren, do we also unite and inspire the people around us? Masons are brave, intelligent, successful, generous and willing to help. We are Masons. And as such my brethren, I hope that we will continue to embody the traits of a true Mason for the rest of our natural lives.
Some of us have been Masons for decades while others have just been initiated into Masonry. Some of us have been faithfully attending meetings while others have come and gone. But attendance isn't all there is to Masonry, you have to be there for your brethren in their time of need. No matter how often you come to meetings (but it is greatly appreciated if you will always attend), you will always be a brother Mason. Masonry is a group of brothers who will always look out for each other.
Brethren, see you in the next stated meeting!
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AGENDA
March 16, 2013
OPENING OF A LODGE OF MASTER MASONS
> Reading and Approval of minutes of previous meeting
> Secretary Financial Report
> Treasurer Financial Report
COMMUNICATIONS (Edicts, Circulars, etc.)
MASONIC EDUCATION: WB EDUARDO ULINDANG
COMMITTEE REPORTS
> Creation of Committees
> Annual Communication
BALLOTING OF PETITION
> Mr. Carl Irwin Garzon
> Mr. Anthony Cañete
RECOGNITION OF VISITING BRETHREN
COMMENTARIES AND MESSAGES
> Visiting WMs
> GLI, DGL and DDGM
CLOSING OF THE LODGE
FELLOWSHIP DINNER
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The Officers and Members of Iligan Lodge No. 207 extend
HAPPY BIRTHDAY GREETINGS TO:
March 8 - Charles K. Ang
March 11 - Abdulhakim R. Mamad
March 14 - Ricky James Roselejos
March 15 - Augustus Nizami Riconalla
March 23 - Wayne Chavit
March 25 - Sotero Q. Trinidad
March 29 - Albert Chiu
March 31 - Eduardo D. Ulindang
HAPPY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY TO:
VW Dominic and Sis Sheila Siao - March 8
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"The great distinguishing characteristics of a Mason is a sympathy with his kind. He recognizes in the human race one great family, all connected with himself by those invisible links, and that mighty network of circumstance, forged and woven by God." - Albert Pike
